Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," has died at the age of 36. Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive female at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina. Paramedics attempted to administer aid, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner's Office are investigating the death. Preliminary findings have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to a police spokesperson. Panettiere and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had reportedly traveled to South Carolina from Los Angeles the day before her death.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child, with early roles in soap operas and a part in the 2000 film "Remember the Titans." She gained wider recognition for her portrayal of cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC drama "Heroes" and later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in "Nashville" for six seasons. Her role in "Nashville" earned her two Golden Globe nominations and resulted in 11 songs charting on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs list. She also appeared in films such as "Bring It On: All Or Nothing," "Raising Helen," and the "Scream" franchise, reprising her role as Kirby Reed in "Scream VI."
Her family released a statement describing her as an "incredible light" who brought "immeasurable love and joy" to those around her. Her father also requested privacy for the family during their time of grief. No cause of death has been publicly announced.
In recent years, Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with addiction and mental health. In a memoir released earlier this year, she detailed her experiences with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere had previously given full custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018, citing her own battles with addiction and mental health as reasons she could not provide the care her daughter needed at the time. She expressed a deep longing to be reunited with her daughter and a hope that Kaya would one day understand her situation.
Panettiere's career spanned decades, beginning with her first acting job at 11 months old. She also experienced the loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023. Fellow actors and organizations, including Sag-Aftra, have shared tributes to the late actress.